News Release
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Contact: Daniel Ibarra, (956) 541-2785 ext. 324
On Saturday, May 8, 2021, Palo Alto Battlefield NHP welcomed visitors back for the first living history program since March 2020. The event was held in commemoration of the 175th Anniversary of the Battle of Palo Alto. Overall, the event attracted over 100 interested and enthusiastic visitors, many who stayed for its entirety. Following CDC and Department of Interior guidelines, participants, visitors, and staff wore masks and when possible, used social distancing.
On a warm, cloudy morning, Park Superintendent Oralia Fernandez, addressed the audience of about 40, that included families and a Scout group. She spoke of how 175 years ago, to the day, armies from the United States and Mexico faced one another in the opening battle of the U.S.-Mexican War — a war that would shape both nations. Visitors listened intently as Superintendent Fernandez talked about how “In the aftermath of the Battle of Palo Alto and the ensuing battles of the war, each nation praised their troops and vowed that they should be long remembered for their service on these fields and that by joining us today, you are helping to keep their memory alive.”
Throughout the two-hour event, visitors listened to living history volunteers talk about the battle and the war and got a closeup look at what U.S. and Mexican soldiers wore and the equipment they used. The calm on the field was periodically broken by the thunderous percussion of musket demonstrations and the smoke and smell of black powder filled the air. Coincidentally, a group from the Texas State Guard was visiting the park that day which added air of appropriateness to the event.
Numerous visitors expressed their gratitude to park staff for hosting the event and giving them the opportunity to experience a little bit of history. The event’s success and warm reception are the direct result of the hard, behind-the-scenes work of the park’s staff, particularly the Interpretive and Maintenance staff.
The park hopefully plans to resume its living history program in earnest in September with larger events. However, plans are underway to offer a living history guest speaker series this summer. Information on the summer speaker series will be posted on the park’s website and social media.
Last updated: May 17, 2021